Assertion of power (Locke)
no natural right to rule, only can be used for public good, is limited
State of Nature (Locke)
state of equality
right to govern ourselves
right to private property
anything you mix your labor with is yours
Why Leave SON? (Locke)
- No known settled laws
- No reliable enforcer
- Need for impartial judges
Restrictions in SON? (Locke)
- Can’t take anything that is rightfully someone else’s
- Only take as much as one can use (spoilage)
- Leave as much behind that is good as what is taken
Strange but true doctrine
every person can enforce laws of nature through reparations and restraint
Government (Locke)
can’t have arbitrary power, can’t voluntarily give up power, people have obligation to resist a government that asks you to give up your rights.
Limits to government (Locke)
- Cannot govern arbitrarily
- Must govern according to communicated laws and tested by authorized judges
- Cannot take property without consent
- Cannot transfer lawmaking power
Fences analogy
denotes what is “mine” from “yours”
Resisting vs rebellion
Resisting= legitimate if against unlawful exercise of power
Rebellion= against lawful exercise of power
Exceptions to liberation
- Catholics (ruled by Pope/ could bring potential threat to power in govt)
- Atheists (no belief in a God means they do not have trust)
